Car-coupling



(No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 1.

I BREBN Oar Coupling.

Patented June 15, 1880.

N. PETERS. PHD

I (No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 2' T. BREBN. Car-Coupling.

Patented June 15, 1880 Wit/leases: I Irw'erdvr:

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N.PE|ER5 FHOTO-UTHDGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. Q

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

THOMAS BREEN, OF KNOWLTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-CO UPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 228,863, dated June 15, 1880.

' Application filed April 28, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS BREEN, of Knowlton, in the county of Delaware and State of- Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gar-Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the'same, reference being had to the ac companying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carcoupling embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same, showing the several parts in their position prior to coupling. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of two draw-heads coupled. Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views of the coupling-tongues of the respective draw-heads. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the tumbler detached from the drawhead. Fig. 7 is a similar view of the pivoted tumbler lock-bolt. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of my improved draw-bar. Fig. 9 is a Between these parts a a is inserted the tumbler O, which is pivoted upon the same bolt, D, upon which tongue a B a is hinged, this bolt being inserted transversely through the front part of the draw-head. The tumbler consists of a plate, U, enlarged and bored through at its lower end to receive the bolt 1), and provided with a projecting pin or bolt, d, and a catch-lug, e, as will appear more readily by reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings. The hinged lock-bolt, which operates in conjunction with the tumbler, is shown detached in Fig. 7, from which it will be seen that it consists of a heavy bent bar or plate, F, made with an oblique slot, f, at its forward free end, and bifurcated at its rear end to form the ears 9 g, which are perforated to receive the pin or bolt G, upon which this device is hinged in the rear part of the draw-head. Upon the same bolt, G, is hinged the block H, upon which the draw-bar I, to be hereinafter described, is pivoted. These are the operating parts of the draw-head proper, by which the coupling is effected in the following manner, which will readhorizontal section through the box or casing which contains the draw-bar springs; and Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the same, taken through one of the spring-bolts with its encircling-spring.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to automatic carcouplings or selfcouplers; and it consists, first, in the construction and combination of parts of the draw-head proper; secondly, in the construction of an improved draw-bar, to which the draw-head is pivoted and, thirdly, in the construction and combination, with the said draw-bar, of a peculiarly-constructed spring or cushion box, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the two sheets of drawings hereto annexed, A denotes the draw-head, which has a flaring mouth, as usual. In the forward part of the draw-head is hinged the coupling-tongue, by means of which the coupling or connection with the opposite draw-head is effected. This consists, as shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, of r a flat plate, B, made with a slot, 1), in its forward end, and bifurily be understoodby reference to Figs. 2 and 3 on the drawings.

Prior to coupling (see Fig. 2) the tumbler O is in a vertical position within the mouth of the draw-head, with the pin 01 projecting forwardly between the legs a a of the couplingtongue B. The point of this pininay, if desired, be bent in an upward direction, as shown in Fig. 2, or it may be left straight, as shown in Fig. 6.

The tumbler is retained in its vertical position and prevented from falling back into the draw-head by the hinged lock-bolt F, (shown in Fig. 7,) the forward rounded end of which bears against the back part of the tumblerplate, which is prevented from tilting too far forward by a shoulder or offset in the roof of the draw-head, against which it impinges.

The lock-bolt F may be raised by means of a rod or chain, K, which is connected at its lower end to a bail, la, in the lock-bolt and passes up through an aperture in the roof of the draw-head, its upper end being connected to suitably-arranged chains and levers for operating it from the roof, sides, or platform of the car, as the case may be.

cated, as shown at a a, at its opposite end.

As the slotted coupling-tongue B of the opposite draw-head enters it will strike against the tumbler between its projecting lug e and the pin d, thus overcoming the resistance of the hinged lock-bolt F, allowing the tumbler to slip past this and fall down into the position shown in Fig. 3, with the pin 01 projecting up through the slot 1) in the couplingtongue and into the oblique slot fin the forward rounded part of the lock-bolt F, which will now by its own gravity fall down into its former position and prevent the tumbler from being drawn back into its upright or vertical position.

Thus it will be seen that the couplin tongue B is effectually coupled and locked in its position without possibility of accidental uncoupling in turning curves, 85c. At the same time, it one of the cars should'jnmp the track, the coupling will disengage itself by the coupled tongue striking against the under side of lock-bolt F, thus lifting this up into its recess in the roof of the draw-head, which allows the tumbler to fall back into its upright position by the strain upon its pin, which will thus disengage itselffrom the coupling-tongue, and the cars will at once become detached.

It is obvious that this coupling will work in precisely the same manner with an ordinary coupling-link, so that my improved draw-head may be coupled with any other kind of draw-head employing a link or a slotted plate.

It will also be seen that by making the slotted coupling-tongues B B of opposite cars of different length, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the coupling may be effected with or without play, according to whether the long or the short tongue is used for effecting the coupling.

In passenger-trains it is desirable that the cars should be brought as closely together as possible, and in that case the short tongue is used, while in freight-trains, especially such as are made up of a large number of cars, it is necessary that there should be some play between the couplings, to enable the engine to gain headway gradually before pulling up upon the last car of the train, andin that case the longer tongue is used for effecting the coupling.

In order to properly adjust the elevation of the draw-head I employ a bar, L, which is inserted transversely through the draw-head, through slots 1, made in the sides of this, its projecting ends being inserted through eyebolts M, that are suspended from the hangers N. The eyebolts may be adjusted vertically by means of nuts m m, thus adjusting the elevation of the draw-head as may be desired. By making bar L with a projecting arm at its middle, (which may be conveniently made by doubling that portion of the bar,) within the chamberof the draw-head below the hinged lock-bolt F, the uncoupling may be'effected by turning said bar L, and thus lift the lock-bolt sufficiently to let the pin of the tumbler slip past it.

The draw-bar I is made by bending or doubling a flat bar of iron, as shown in Fig. 8, so that its two ends (denoted by 0 0) will be at the bent or bail end of the bar, while its doubleforked ends are perforated for the insertion of the bolt 19, by which the draw-bar is pivoted upon the hinged block H in the rear part of the draw-head.

It is well known that in a bar of metal the surface fibers are the strongest and most cohesive, and that the tensile strength of the bar is materially lessened by punching, filing, or otherwise abradin g the surface. Therefore, if the draw-bar were made, as it usually is, by simply bending a bar of metal into a fork shape and punching holes in its ends, the ends, where the greatest strain comes in starting and pulling the train, will be materially weakened by the punching of the holes so near the extreme ends of the bar; but by formin g the draw-bar by bending the bar of metal from which it is to be made as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that the perforations for the insertion of the bolt by which it is attached to the draw-head do not come near the ends of the blank or bar, but, on the contrary, along its middle part, although near the forked ends of the draw-bar, as such, which is not materially weakened by the punching or drilling of the holes.

Through the rear end of the draw-bar, and transversely thereto, is inserted a strong bar or plate, 0, which is cut away or recessed at its middle, on both edges, to receive the draw-bar.

Upon this plate is bolted another thinner plate, 1?, which is a little wider than plate 0, and slotted for the insertion of the forked ends or arms of the draw-bar. Plate P is made with a top and bottom flange, (denoted by g g,)for the purpose of increasing its strength and rigidity.

Secured in and projecting forwardly from plate 0 are four or more parallel bolts or rods, Q Q, arranged on opposite sides of and parallel to the central draw-bar, I, each of which is encircled by a stout coiled spring, R, the forward end of which bears against another bar or plate, 0, placed parallel to and corresponding in length and width to plate 0, and, like this, slotted for the insertion of the forked ends of the draw-bar. This plate 0 has a series of apertures which register with the bolts Q, so that when, in starting the train, the draw-bar pulls upon plate 0 the springs R are compressed, while the ends of the bolts which they encircle have free play through the apertures in plate 0'.

The top plate, S, is made with two parallel turned-up flanges, s s, and strengthened by the insertion between these flanges of the brace-blocks T. Thus a very strong and solid abutment is formed for the flanged plate P, when, the springs R having been compressed to their greatest capacity, plate P bears up against the flanged and braced rear edge of the top plate, S, upon which the strain comes in pulling the train.

By this construction and arrangement of parts it will be seen that the buffer-springs R are relieved from undue strain, that the coupling of the draw-head to the plate 0 by means of the forked draw-bar I and pivoted block H is effected in a substantial and compact manner, which at the same time provides for the requisite vertical and lateral play of the draw-head, and that the springs are inclosed within a box or casing, excluding dirt and rain or snow, so that the springs will wear longer and work better than when not so protected. 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a draw-head for railway-cars, the combination of the bifurcated and slotted coup-' ling-tongue B, bolt D, forming a fulcrum for said tongue, tumbler O, pivoted upon bolt D, between the forked ends or arms of tongue B, and provided with the pin d and lug e, and weighted lock-bolt F, hinged within and in the rear end of the chambered draw-head, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and set forth.

2. In a draw-head for railway-cars, a coupling-tongue composed of a fiat plate, B, slotted in its projecting front end at b, and bifurcated in its rear end to form diverging arms a a, by which it is hinged within the chambered draw-head, in combination with a tumbler, 0, working between the said pivoted forked arms a a, and provided with a pin, 01, adapted to receive and lock the slotted and hinged tongue of the opposite draw-head, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the draw-head A, of the bolt G, bifurcated lock-bolt F, hinged block H, bolt 19, and forked draw-bar I, snbstantially as set forth.

4. In combination, the pivoted and slotted draw-head A, transverse bar L, eyebolts M, adjusting-nuts m, and hangers N, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

5. As an article of manufacture, a forked or bifurcated draw-bar for railway-cars, composed of a single flat web or band of metal reourved and doubled upon itself to form several layers or webs, the two ends of the web or hand occupying the base or doubled end of the forked bar at the inner end of this, while the doubled outer ends of the forked drawbar proper are punched or perforated for the insertion of the bolt connecting the draw-bar to the draw-head, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and specified.

6. The buffer-box composed of the flanged top plate, S, having brace-blocks T, sliding plate 0, provided with the bolts Q, having coiled springs R, stationary plate 0, having perforations registering with the bolts Q, and draw-bar I, all constructed and combined substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS BREEN.

Witnesses:

GEO. F. GRAHAM, J NO. H. MADIGN. 

